Now that would be something special, entering Dakar on a diesel bike! Incredible torque, great fuel range, but cumbersome and heavy..theres a company in the UK that are developing a round-the-world style bike, based around the Smart car diesel unit...last i saw it was a bit Frankenbike looking, but how awesome would it be if someone was prepared to develop something suitable and give it a go!

Do any of you guys know of any 450 powerplants out there that could be used instead of an 800cc TDi unit?! Wonder if Dakar would allow the 800cc engine, just because it's a diesel?! Could open up a whole new side to the rally!

Now that would be something special, entering Dakar on a diesel bike! Incredible torque, great fuel range, but cumbersome and heavy..theres a company in the UK that are developing a round-the-world style bike, based around the Smart car diesel unit...last i saw it was a bit Frankenbike looking, but how awesome would it be if someone was prepared to develop something suitable and give it a go!

Do any of you guys know of any 450 powerplants out there that could be used instead of an 800cc TDi unit?! Wonder if Dakar would allow the 800cc engine, just because it's a diesel?! Could open up a whole new side to the rally!

can a high rpm 450 run on diesel and find a match up turbo? 800cc that's a lot torque needs to be handle

Well.... ive got my fingers crossed for a couple of mates that are scheduled to ride with Stan and Lyndon..they're just waiting to see if their letters are thumbs up, or thumbs down..As they were sent to Stan's house and he's been in France all week, they have to wait until he gets home this weekend! Poor buggers..

There is one other Brit, Paul Jay, who got the news this week, he will be riding with Honda Europe. I think Craig Bounds had applied too, but not heard any updates recently.. last I heard he was selling everything that wasn't nailed down and looking for a used 450rr..!

Havent heard of any others just yet, but potentially 10 riders in total would be fantastic news for a Brit contingent!

There is one other Brit, Paul Jay, who got the news this week, he will be riding with Honda Europe. I think Craig Bounds had applied too, but not heard any updates recently.. last I heard he was selling everything that wasn't nailed down and looking for a used 450rr..!

Craig's definitely applied, and is proceeding on the basis that he's going to get accepted. Him and Tamsin are off to the Aus Safari in Sept as a 'warm up'. No idea what bike he's planning on using for the Dakar, they're using a couple of their riding school DR-Z's for the Safari

Also Fabio Mauri (an expert Enduro rider with several Six Days on his shoulders, did pretty well at latest Sardegna Rally and is winning the marathon class at the Italian Motorally Championship... with a Wr250R, not F!), Luca Viglio (very good at the Pharaons last year) and Andrea Fesani who previously had to let his place to Ciotti for an accident just before the race... Let's see about other Italians, I know Francesco Catanese was hoping to participate...